Breakout Sessions: Leadership Conference 2024

Session Description	Location	Speakers
The Anxious Achiever: Why Understanding Anxiety is the Ultimate Leadership Tool If you’re feeling anxious right now, you’re not alone. Morra Aarons-Mele, author of "The Anxious Achiever" is known as the "Anxiety Whisperer" and knows good and well that anxiety is a constant in today’s workplace, and people need tools to manage it. If nothing is done to address it, anxiety can seriously hamper your – or your Team’s – potential for high performance. However, "The Anxious Achiever" shows that anxiety is actually fundamental to Leadership, and with the right tools, its power can be harnessed to turn stress into strength. Join this session to learn how to use your Leadership anxiety as an advantage, create guardrails that protect boundaries, time, and energy, and create mentally healthy Teams and Culture. Morra Aarons-Mele helps you stop avoiding your anxiety and learn to thrive because of it.	The Wings Rooms (Wings Building) and virtually livestreamed	Morra Aarons-Mele Author of "The Anxious Achiever" and "Hiding in the Bathroom"
Leadership Lessons from Our Queen of Hearts Join Elizabeth Bryant and Whitney Eichinger as they share key lessons from Colleen’s legacy, including her focus on our People, prioritizing Cohearts wellbeing, and empowering our Teams for success. Discover how these principles can be applied to your own Leadership philosophy, driving growth, innovation, and resilience within your Department. Whether you're an established Leader or new in your role, this session promises to inspire and equip you with actionable insights from our very own Queen of Hearts, Colleen Barrett.	Freedom Hall (HDK Building) and virtually livestreamed	Elizabeth Bryant Sr. Vice President & Chief People Officer Whitney Eichinger Sr. Vice President & Chief Communications Officer
SMC & Director Development \| Space to Mobilize: Motivating our Teams to Rise Above How do you cast a clear and compelling vision that empowers and motivates others to "Rise Above?" Equipped with the Space to Lead, Design, and Ideate sessions from earlier in the year, this final SMC & Director Development session will focus on how Leaders can mobilize their Teams and influence the work they are trying to accomplish by motivating them to "Rise Above." All Leaders in this category are expected to attend this in-person session at TOPS with Keynote Speaker Dr. Marcus Collins, Clinical Assistant Professor of Marketing at U-M Ross School of Business, and Dr. Sean Martin, Associate Professor at UVA Darden School of Business. Please note that this session is only available to SMC & Directors and will be from 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. CT, covering both Sessions One and Two.	Lone Star Rooms (TOPS Building)	Dr. Marcus Collins Clinical Assistant Professor of Marketing at U-M Ross School of Business Dr. Sean Martin Associate Professor at UVA Darden School of Business

Session Description

Location

Speakers

The Anxious Achiever: Why Understanding Anxiety is the Ultimate Leadership Tool

If you’re feeling anxious right now, you’re not alone. Morra Aarons-Mele, author of "The Anxious Achiever" is known as the "Anxiety Whisperer" and knows good and well that anxiety is a constant in today’s workplace, and people need tools to manage it. If nothing is done to address it, anxiety can seriously hamper your – or your Team’s – potential for high performance. However, "The Anxious Achiever" shows that anxiety is actually fundamental to Leadership, and with the right tools, its power can be harnessed to turn stress into strength. Join this session to learn how to use your Leadership anxiety as an advantage, create guardrails that protect boundaries, time, and energy, and create mentally healthy Teams and Culture. Morra Aarons-Mele helps you stop avoiding your anxiety and learn to thrive because of it.

The Wings Rooms (Wings Building) and virtually livestreamed

Morra Aarons-Mele

Author of "The Anxious Achiever" and "Hiding in the Bathroom"

Leadership Lessons from Our Queen of Hearts

Join Elizabeth Bryant and Whitney Eichinger as they share key lessons from Colleen’s legacy, including her focus on our People, prioritizing Cohearts wellbeing, and empowering our Teams for success. Discover how these principles can be applied to your own Leadership philosophy, driving growth, innovation, and resilience within your Department. Whether you're an established Leader or new in your role, this session promises to inspire and equip you with actionable insights from our very own Queen of Hearts, Colleen Barrett.

Freedom Hall (HDK Building) and virtually livestreamed

Elizabeth Bryant

Sr. Vice President & Chief People Officer

Whitney Eichinger

Sr. Vice President & Chief Communications Officer

SMC & Director Development | Space to Mobilize: Motivating our Teams to Rise Above

How do you cast a clear and compelling vision that empowers and motivates others to "Rise Above?" Equipped with the Space to Lead, Design, and Ideate sessions from earlier in the year, this final SMC & Director Development session will focus on how Leaders can mobilize their Teams and influence the work they are trying to accomplish by motivating them to "Rise Above." All Leaders in this category are expected to attend this in-person session at TOPS with Keynote Speaker Dr. Marcus Collins, Clinical Assistant Professor of Marketing at U-M Ross School of Business, and Dr. Sean Martin, Associate Professor at UVA Darden School of Business. Please note that this session is only available to SMC & Directors and will be from 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. CT, covering both Sessions One and Two.

Lone Star Rooms (TOPS Building)

Dr. Marcus Collins

Clinical Assistant Professor of Marketing at U-M Ross School of Business

Dr. Sean Martin

Associate Professor at UVA Darden School of Business

Session Description	Location	Speakers
Southwest on the Horizon Our Customer base is changing, and expectations from travelers continue to grow. Curious about how we plan to keep up? Join Chief Customer Officer Tony Roach, Vice President Customer Experience & Analytics Bill Tierney, Vice President of Marketing Jennifer Bridie, and Vice President & Chief Product Officer Jonathan Clarkson as they dive into emerging trends, evolving Customer needs, and creative strategies to grow our Customer base. Discover how to anticipate and embrace these changes, and get tips on how to bring your Team along for the ride. Don’t miss this chance to gain fresh insights and practical advice to help you and your Team thrive as we move into the future of Southwest.	The Wings Rooms (Wings Building) and virtually livestreamed	Bill Tierney Vice President Customer Experience & Analytics Jennifer Bridie Vice President Marketing Jonathan Clarkson Vice President & Chief Product Officer Tony Roach Sr. Vice President & Chief Customer Officer
Building your Southwest Leadership Brand Your brand is what others know you for, and it’s reflected in the things that come to mind when they think about you—how you behave, what you stand for, and how you treat others. Join Vice President SWA University Bobby Loeb and Chief Information Officer Lauren Woods as they share steps to develop a Leadership brand and become known as a Leader who is set apart from the rest, demonstrating our Southwest Values, and standing for something more.	TOPS 215/216 (TOPS Building) and virtually livestreamed	Bobby Loeb Vice President SWA University Lauren Woods Sr. Vice President & Chief Information Officer
SMC & Director Development \| Space to Mobilize: Motivating our Teams to Rise Above How do you cast a clear and compelling vision that empowers and motivates others to "Rise Above?" Equipped with the Space to Lead, Design, and Ideate sessions from earlier in the year, this final SMC & Director Development session will focus on how Leaders can mobilize their Teams and influence the work they are trying to accomplish by motivating them to "Rise Above." All Leaders in this category are expected to attend this in-person session at TOPS with Keynote Speaker Dr. Marcus Collins, Clinical Assistant Professor of Marketing at U-M Ross School of Business, and Dr. Sean Martin, Associate Professor at UVA Darden School of Business. Please note that this session is only available to SMC & Directors and will be from 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. CT, covering both Sessions One and Two.	Lone Star Rooms (TOPS Building)	Dr. Marcus Collins Clinical Assistant Professor of Marketing at U-M Ross School of Business Dr. Sean Martin Associate Professor at UVA Darden School of Business

Session Description

Location

Speakers

Southwest on the Horizon

Our Customer base is changing, and expectations from travelers continue to grow. Curious about how we plan to keep up? Join Chief Customer Officer Tony Roach, Vice President Customer Experience & Analytics Bill Tierney, Vice President of Marketing Jennifer Bridie, and Vice President & Chief Product Officer Jonathan Clarkson as they dive into emerging trends, evolving Customer needs, and creative strategies to grow our Customer base. Discover how to anticipate and embrace these changes, and get tips on how to bring your Team along for the ride. Don’t miss this chance to gain fresh insights and practical advice to help you and your Team thrive as we move into the future of Southwest.

The Wings Rooms (Wings Building) and virtually livestreamed

Bill Tierney

Vice President Customer Experience & Analytics

Jennifer Bridie

Vice President Marketing

Jonathan Clarkson

Vice President & Chief Product Officer

Tony Roach

Sr. Vice President & Chief Customer Officer

Building your Southwest Leadership Brand

Your brand is what others know you for, and it’s reflected in the things that come to mind when they think about you—how you behave, what you stand for, and how you treat others. Join Vice President SWA University Bobby Loeb and Chief Information Officer Lauren Woods as they share steps to develop a Leadership brand and become known as a Leader who is set apart from the rest, demonstrating our Southwest Values, and standing for something more.

TOPS 215/216 (TOPS Building) and virtually livestreamed

Bobby Loeb

Vice President SWA University

Lauren Woods

Sr. Vice President & Chief Information

Officer

SMC & Director Development | Space to Mobilize: Motivating our Teams to Rise Above

Lone Star Rooms (TOPS Building)

Dr. Marcus Collins

Clinical Assistant Professor of Marketing at U-M Ross School of Business

Dr. Sean Martin

Associate Professor at UVA Darden School of Business

Session Description	Location	Speakers
Quiet Power: Harnessing the Strength of Introverted Leadership Do networking events and Team-building activities give you sudden anxiety? Join Morra Aarons-Mele, acclaimed author of "Hiding in the Bathroom," for an engaging and authentic conversation about harnessing the strength of introverted Leadership. In this session, you’ll gain valuable insights and practical skills to build a robust network, advance your career, and Lead with confidence—all without pretending to be an extrovert. Learn how introversion can be a powerful asset in achieving success. Discover your quiet power or recognize the strengths of the introverts on your Team. Don't miss this opportunity to redefine Leadership and success on your own terms.	The Wings Rooms (Wings Building) and virtually livestreamed	Morra Aarons-Mele Author of "The Anxious Achiever" and "Hiding in the Bathroom"
Ask Ops Anything Looking to grow your understanding and breadth of knowledge of the Operation? Join us either virtually or in Freedom Hall to hear from a diverse panel of Ops Leaders who are ready to address your burning questions. This is your chance to engage with peers who exemplify the Values and character that set our Leadership apart. Whether you’re seeking advice on process optimization, overcoming operational challenges, or implementing innovative solutions, our Ops Leaders are here to share their wisdom and experiences. Join us to gain invaluable insights and practical advice that will empower you to "Rise Above" in your own Leadership journey and elevate your Team’s performance.	Freedom Hall (HDK Building) and virtually livestreamed	Justin Jones Executive Vice President Operations Ashley Persons Director Labor Relations Communication & Planning Christi Paget Managing Director Flight Ops Onboarding & Engagement Kelly Tompkins Managing Director Operations Strategy & Planning Pro Mahabir Managing Director Ground Ops Rachel Loudermilk Managing Director Inflight Safety & Base Ops Will Abbott Managing Director Tech Ops Planning & AC Delivery
Lead with Listening Looking to Rise Above in your listening skills? Join Dr. Sean Martin of Darden University for more on this critical leadership skill that fosters trust, collaboration, and innovation. He'll emphasize the importance of active listening, which involves fully engaging with Team members, understanding their perspectives, and valuing their input. This approach not only builds stronger relationships but also empowers Employees, encourages diverse viewpoints, and drives better decision-making. Effective Leaders use listening as a tool to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels heard and respected, ultimately leading to more cohesive and high-performing teams.	Lone Star Rooms (TOPS Building) *no virtual option	Dr. Sean Martin Associate Professor at UVA Darden School of Business

Session Description

Location

Speakers

Quiet Power: Harnessing the Strength of Introverted Leadership

Do networking events and Team-building activities give you sudden anxiety? Join Morra Aarons-Mele, acclaimed author of "Hiding in the Bathroom," for an engaging and authentic conversation about harnessing the strength of introverted Leadership.

In this session, you’ll gain valuable insights and practical skills to build a robust network, advance your career, and Lead with confidence—all without pretending to be an extrovert. Learn how introversion can be a powerful asset in achieving success. Discover your quiet power or recognize the strengths of the introverts on your Team. Don't miss this opportunity to redefine Leadership and success on your own terms.

The Wings Rooms (Wings Building) and virtually livestreamed

Morra Aarons-Mele

Author of "The Anxious Achiever" and "Hiding in the Bathroom"

Ask Ops Anything

Looking to grow your understanding and breadth of knowledge of the Operation? Join us either virtually or in Freedom Hall to hear from a diverse panel of Ops Leaders who are ready to address your burning questions. This is your chance to engage with peers who exemplify the Values and character that set our Leadership apart. Whether you’re seeking advice on process optimization, overcoming operational challenges, or implementing innovative solutions, our Ops Leaders are here to share their wisdom and experiences. Join us to gain invaluable insights and practical advice that will empower you to "Rise Above" in your own Leadership journey and elevate your Team’s performance.

Freedom Hall (HDK Building) and virtually livestreamed

Justin Jones

Executive Vice President
Operations

Ashley Persons

Director Labor Relations Communication & Planning

Christi Paget

Managing Director Flight Ops Onboarding & Engagement

Kelly Tompkins

Managing Director Operations Strategy & Planning

Pro Mahabir

Managing Director Ground Ops

Rachel Loudermilk

Managing Director Inflight Safety & Base Ops

Will Abbott

Managing Director Tech Ops Planning & AC Delivery

Lead with Listening

Looking to Rise Above in your listening skills? Join Dr. Sean Martin of Darden University for more on this critical leadership skill that fosters trust, collaboration, and innovation. He'll emphasize the importance of active listening, which involves fully engaging with Team members, understanding their perspectives, and valuing their input. This approach not only builds stronger relationships but also empowers Employees, encourages diverse viewpoints, and drives better decision-making. Effective Leaders use listening as a tool to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels heard and respected, ultimately leading to more cohesive and high-performing teams.

Lone Star Rooms (TOPS Building)

*no virtual option

Dr. Sean Martin

Associate Professor at UVA Darden School of Business

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17